What are the rules of Ultimate Draft Soccer?

Listed below are the rules of Ultimate Draft Soccer. Please read over them carefully to better understand the game:

1. In Possession

1.1 Kicking

• Kick accuracy is indicated by the range around the line drawn, and the resulting kick will be within this range.
• Accuracy is affected by:
  • Kicking player’s technical attributes
  • Ball intercept height
  • Kick direction relative to player facing direction
  • Incoming ball velocity 

1.2 Receiving

When passing the ball, a receiving teammate will always take a touch before they can kick or dribble, except in some circumstances listed below.

1.3 Exceptions

• When the ball is in the air and the receiving teammate is under pressure from an opponent, then they may attempt a first-time header or volley without first taking a touch. Play will pause in this situation to allow user input.
• When the ball is in the opponent’s penalty area, the attacking team’s receiving teammates can kick/header/dribble the ball first time without first taking a touch. Play will pause in this situation to allow user input.
• The goalkeeper does not need to take a touch before playing the ball. Play will pause to allow user input before a touch.

1.4 Dribbling

• Dribbles must be at least 5 yards in length. Players can dribble in any direction.

1.5 Final Kick

• A Final Kick is possible when the match time hits zero and the team in possession of the ball are in their opponent’s half. In all other situations when the match time hits zero, the match will end immediately.

2. Out of Possession

2.1 Regaining Possession

Players on the team not in possession of the ball must always take a touch before they can kick or dribble, except in some circumstances listed below.

2.2 Exceptions:

• When the ball is in the air and the receiving player is under pressure from an opponent, then they may attempt an automatic first-time header or volley clearance. Play will not pause.
• When the ball is outside their 18-yard box a goalkeeper will clear the ball automatically.

3. Team Behaviour

3.1 In Possession

By default, players follow a predictable position based on formation and ball position. The following can override the default behaviour:

• The active player will follow instructions of the user – kicking and dribbling
• Teammates can be sent on runs which last 6 seconds, after which they return to default behaviour

3.2 Out of Possession

By default, players follow a predictable position based on formation and ball position. The following can override the default behaviour:

• Players can be set to press or tackle the opponent’s active player, triggered by the user. Players will continue to press or tackle until their action is cancelled or when their team regains possession.
• Goalkeepers can be set to attack the ball, triggered by the user. The goalkeeper will continue to attack the ball until the action is cancelled or their team regains possession.
• When the ball is loose and not clear that it is the opposing team’s ball, then the best placed player will attack the ball and attempt to regain possession.

4. Free Kicks / Fouls

4.1 Advantage (following a foul) is played with the following exceptions

• When the foul contact was inside the opposition penalty area
• Within 2.5 seconds of possession timer end

4.2 Advantage ends

• When the fouled team has possession awaiting user input
• When play is called back where no advantage has been gained
• OR, after 5 seconds if neither of the above happens

4.3 When taking a free kick, the free kick taker is set as follows:

• If within 45 yards of opponent’s goal, then the assigned team “free kick taker” will be the taker.
• If within 30 yards of team’s goal, AND within the left/right bounds of the 18 yards box then the goalkeeper will be the taker.
• Otherwise, the nearest defender player will be the taker.

4.4 Where a free kick is within 45 yards of goal, the defending team will form a wall. The wall is made up of the tallest midfielders and attackers ordered by height starting at the side in line with the nearest post.

5. Possession Timer

5.1 When in possession of the ball the team has a fixed number of seconds to score, otherwise possession will switch to the opponent.

5.2 The Possession Timer resets when the opposition gains control of the ball. It does not reset following a deflection or automatic interception or clearance.

5.3 When the ball goes out of play following a deflection or interception, but possession is retained by the user, then if there are 5 seconds or fewer remaining, then the Possession Timer is set to 5 seconds. Note this ‘boost’ only happens once per possession phase.